Bill Byrne, Managing director, Remedy Public Relations
Bill Byne is the managing director of the award-winning Remedy Public Relations.
Firstly, many people fear the words 'personal brand' as it means going public with your thoughts. I want to know if you have always found it easy to 'put yourself out there'?
I haven't found it easy to put myself out there as I'd rather have my track record for success and our team's results speak for themselves. But as my career progresses, and I see a lot of issues in the PR field bubbling up, putting myself out there publicly more is something I've decided is important.
When it comes to building an authentic personal brand, what advice would you give professionals starting out?
Have an opinion and be consistent if you want to stand out. There's nothing wrong with vanilla, but no one brags about vanilla. Vanilla is there, and it works, but we don't talk about it.
Do you think personal branding and reputation go hand in hand, and what can people do to maintain a positive reputation while brand-building?
Maybe hand in hand, but definitely adjacent. Your results should be the foundation of your reputation, and on top of that you build your personal brand. Deliver results, and go from there.
Can you share a success story of how you or someone you follow used their personal brand to build business or career?
Gary Vaynerchuck is one, but I'm sure you're hearing that a lot. Scott Stratten is a favorite of mine. His QR Codes Kill Kittens speech that went viral on YouTube really helped put him on the map. He had an opinion and leveraged that for success later. That video was actually the basis of the Press Releases Kill Puppy Dogs article we had published in AdWeek.
Which platforms do you find most effective for establishing thought leadership and growing professional presence?
LinkedIn is probably the easiest, but it's going as more use it, it's going to take extra effort to cut through the crap out there. Video on LinkedIn is going to become more important. Podcasts are a great tool, but the effort is something most won't want to commit to.
How do you ensure your personal brand stays true to who you are and your evolving goals?
You have to be able to look yourself in the mirror. At least I do. I'm not sure if everyone feels that way, but for me, I can't preach what I won't practice. And it's fine to change your tune, but admitting when you are helps add validity to your stance.
What are some practical strategies or tactics professionals can use to expand their network and build meaningful connections?
Take the me out of social media. Look for others asking for help and volunteer advice. There's a lot I can't do or know about, but I usually know someone who can.
Along your personal branding journey, have you encountered any common obstacles that readers of this interview should be aware of?
Impostor syndrome is a big one for me. But I've seen so many people when it comes to PR pushing things that just aren't true, I've learned that either I fight the good fight, or I let the bad guys in the PR game win. If the bad guys win, my job gets harder in the end!
Imagine you have a time machine that can transport you to the future. What impact do you envision your personal brand having on the world?
Setting the record straight on what a how public relations actually works.
Close your eyes and imagine you're a bestselling author. What captivating book would you write to share your personal brand journey and insights?
Generation WTF: How PR And Social Media Infuriates, Inspires, and Incentivises People To Act And Speak
Thanks so much for sharing your knowledge with us here! Where should people follow you to find out more about your work?
@The_ByrneNotice (twitter)
